Chapter 63
Lexion laid Elena on her bed in the dormitory.
He gazed at her for a moment, then sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Elena…”
The sight of her sound asleep was enough to tickle his heart.
Lexion interlocked his hand with Elena’s, kissing the back of her hand.
It felt like the weariness in his body was being washed away.
He carefully raised his hand and tucked away the strand of hair that tickled Elena’s face.
“You told me about the contract, but…”
The agreement period when she proposed to be his lover was only three months.
Once the war ended, there wouldn’t be enough time for the lovers.
So, naturally, Lexion made a decision.
“I will confess to you again when this war is over.”
This time, to become her true lover.
****
After spending a hectic time preparing potions and practicing magic to be used in the war, the day has finally come.
In the meantime, Elena has seen some progress.
The Meteor Magic she had been working on had developed.
Now she could drop up to 10 stones.
And it was due to Coco and Lani’s help.
Meteor was possible for her because of the combination of fire and earth magic.
Elena smiled and entered the lab.
Tomorrow was the day to go forth.
Lexion would also depart tomorrow. But unlike the wizards who could use portals, he has no choice but to arrive about a week late.
Moreover, no matter how close the mission site was, it would be difficult to go see his face.
So Elena decided to meet him today and leave.
As soon as she entered the office through the portal, she saw Lexion cramped with a pile of documents.
‘Before even the war started, you look busier….’
She shouldn’t have come.
When Elena was wondering if she should go back.
Lexion turned his head towards her.
“Elena!”
His wrinkled brows relaxed in an instant.
He then strode towards Elena.
He mutely gestured to Kerr, who was assisting him with the documents.
Kerr nodded to Elena and walked out of the office quietly.
“You must be busy because tomorrow will be a buzzing trip.”
“I’m done organizing everything. I want to see Lexion’s face before I go…”
Elena covered her mouth in surprise at the buried feelings that unknowingly came out.
Lexion’s lips rose brightly.
“I actually missed Elena too.”
He also had an intense desire to visit Elena, but he endured it in case he would disturb her.
At Lexion’s evergrowing smile, Elena’s cheeks turned red.
‘Lexion is too dangerous…’
Elena hurriedly pulled out her hands from her pockets, taking out the item she meant to bring to his office.
What she took out was a necklace.
Although it was a leather strap woven on the magic stone…
Anyway, it’s a necklace.
“I’m here to give you this.”
“This…”
It was a blue magic stone that resembled the color of Elena’s eyes.
Unlike the previous Magic Stone she gave to Lexion at the time of his expedition, this one was on a smaller scale.
However, it contained a barrier magic that was more formidable than before.
“It’s similar to the magic stone I gave you before. It’s smaller, but the magic inside is more potent. So there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
Elena smiled brightly and held out the magic stone necklace.
“Thank you, Elena.”
Lexion looked at her with his eyes shining.
Then he gazed at his arms and pulled something out.
“This…”
The object on Lexion’s palm was the magic stone that Elena gave him when he went to war.
Elena’s eyes widened.
The fact that the Magic Stone was still intact meant that Lexion never faced any immediate danger in the previous warfare.
‘I knew Lexion was great, but…’
Her mind went blank.
It felt like Lexion’s vivid strength was being proven right before her very eyes.
Elena said with a grin.
“I wish for you to have both. It will definitely help.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind, Elena.”
“I have to go now. Before I go out, I have to see the Archmage.”
“Ah. Then wait a minute.”
Lexion – after taking the magic stone necklace – hindered Elena.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms, causing her to quickly fall into his embrace.
“Just a little bit, stay like this.”
His soft voice fell into her ear.
At the same time, Elena’s heart raced like crazy.
It was natural for her face to bloom hotly, and the whole area where Lexion and her body were in contact became heated as if on fire.
“Elena.”
“… Yes. Lexion.”
“Please don’t overdo it. If you get hurt…”
Lexion swallowed the rest of his words.
But Elena understood what he meant.
Because Lexion, who has always been attentive to her, knew for certain what kind of feelings he has for her.
And this fervent emotion was all-consuming that she seemed to be burned with it.
‘I… What should I do?’
When Elena’s thoughts became complicated, Lexion released her from his arms.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Yes. Lexion, too.”
Lexion kissed the back of Elena’s hand before she left.
The two looked at each other for a moment.
And Elena crossed the portal again.
****
Returning to her laboratory, Elena calmed her beating heart and centered herself.
Within a few hours, they would depart for war.
It was natural to be nervous.
She took a deep breath and left the lab.
Then she headed to the Archmage’s office.
When she arrived at the office, she saw Jeremy, who came there first.
He lightly raised his hand to greet Elena.
Elena responded and approached the Archmage.
“Archmage.”
“Come here, Elena.”
Karen greeted her lightly, holding out her hand to Elena.
With Elena bewildered, she urgently gestured to her.
“Hand.”
“Ye–Yes.”
Elena reached out her hand as Karen had instructed.
Then Karen took her hand.
Immediately, her magical power ran through Elena’s body.
‘This…’
It was the health check she did on her every birthday.
‘But she did this not too long ago.’
While Elena was shrouded by doubts, Karen’s hand fell.
“It was just a simple check before you leave. Fortunately, nothing is wrong.”
“Ah, okay. Thank you.”
Elena’s eyes curved nicely.
Karen stared at her and smiled softly.
Then, soon after, her expression hardened.
“Don’t overdo it. It’s not just the Magic Tower who is participating in this war.”
“Yes, Archmage.”
Her answer may seem resolute, but Elena was not confident.
Probably because she was going to the front line.
“Always be careful.”
Elena nodded to the Archmage and left the office with Jeremy.
Today, the Archmage looked different than usual.
‘She appears especially worried. Perhaps because of the timing.’
Unlike each tower lord who would protect a certain area, the Archmage could use teleportation, allowing her to go everywhere.
Although the magic consumption for the Archmage would increase, it was a decision made in order to lessen the chance of losing even one magician from the Magic Tower.
“Elena.”
“Yes, teacher?”
When they returned to the West Tower, Jeremy said.
“As the Archmage said, there is no need to overdo it. There is me, and there is the Archmage.”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
“Then see you later.”
“Yes, teacher.”
****
A few hours later.
Early in the morning before the sun rose.
All the wizards of the West Tower gathered in the underground training center.
A portal was shining radiantly in front of them.
Thanks to the advance party of wizards who left for the Fortnen Kingdom a few days ago, the group would be able to proceed safely.
“Everyone.”
Before they crossed over the portal, Jeremy – their presiding leader and Tower owner – opened his mouth.
“We must keep in mind that in this war, both wizards and humans are on the same side.”
Basically, wizards detested humans.
But in this war, it shouldn’t be the case.
If they acted selfishly, they would lose their life.
So Jeremy reminded them again.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Yes, Tower Lord!”
“All right!”
Fortunately, the wizards gladly responded to Jeremy’s request.
Then, the movement began.
Jeremy was the first to cross the portal.
Followed by Elena.
As she closed her eyes and took a step, she felt the air change.
When she opened her eyes, Elena arrived at the southernmost tip of the White Continent, the Fortnen Kingdom.
The place where the wizards set their feet looked like a dance hall.
It seemed that the chosen area was to accommodate a large number of wizards at once.
‘By the way, I heard that the former Duke of Halos had visited the Southern Kingdom the other day.’
It wasn’t the Fortnen Kingdom, but it was probably pretty close.
‘I’m glad the previous Duke is in the western continent now.’
This way, he would not be involved in the war.
Elena smiled and shook her head.
Beyond the dance hall, she noticed a towering castle.
An enormous, high castle that looked like something out of a fairy tale.
The Fortnen Kingdom was a kingdom as old as the Empire.
The land of the kingdom was also relatively wide and beautiful, and it was once overrun with tourists.
However, as the demons began approaching from the Black Continent, the number decreased.
The Fortnen Kingdom has been fighting monsters for a long time.
So their military power was quite impregnable.
It wasn’t comparable to the Empire, but it was outstanding for the Kingdom’s size.
“Welcome, wizards of the Magic Tower.”
By the time all the wizards had been transported.
The king and knights of the Fortnen Kingdom, who were waiting in the front, approached.
